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188th Family Named National Family Of Year

188th Family Named National Family Of Year

Rachel Rodemann • Times Record / Senior Master Sgt. Scott Barr and his wife, Cindy Barr show their sons, Andrew, 7, and Isaac, 12, parts on a retired A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at the 188th Air National Guard in Fort Smith. The Barr family was chosen as Air National Guard Family of the Year this year.

188th Family Named National Family Of Year

Rachel Rodemann • Times Record / Senior Master Sgt. Scott Barr holds his youngest son, Andrew, 7, up to see a part on a retired A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog," while his oldest son, Isaac Barr, 12, watches from the ground Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at the 188th Air National Guard in Fort Smith. The Barr family was chosen as Air National Guard Family of the Year this year.

Scott Barr served with the 188th for 22 years, and Cindy Barr has been a member of the 188th Key Volunteers for the past two. The family was named the Arkansas Air Guard Family of the Year earlier this year, and eventually beat out 91 other families for the national title.

“It is a tremendous honor for our families to be recognized like this for their volunteer efforts,” said Maj. Heath Allen, 188th executive officer.

“This is a very huge honor,” agreed Cindy Barr.

“The magnitude of the honor hasn’t really hit me yet,” she said Tuesday afternoon at the 188th air base in Fort Smith. “It’s unbelievable, it really is. I’m so proud that we are representing the 188th.”

After multiple deployments that included recent tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, Scott Barr knows well the void the volunteers help fill for families back home. “To be able to not worry as much about your family back home when you’re out doing your job is a huge deal. You can focus on whatever you’re supposed to do.”

“It means a lot for me to be able to serve,” Cindy said, choking back tears. “Scott serves in everything he does. He is the epitome of service. Just being able to keep up with him is a big thing, being able to continue that legacy with the 188th.”

“The Key Volunteers take care of the families during deployments,” said Scott Barr, bragging on his wife with a smile.

Though Scott Barr retired from the 188th in May, Cindy Barr said she doesn’t foresee her role as a Key Volunteer ending any time soon.

“He thinks it’s hysterical that I have to come to Guard drill and he gets to stay home,” she said, bringing a laugh from her husband and sons. “Once a Key Volunteer, always a Key Volunteer, I’ve been told.”

Four Star Gen. Frank J. Grass will present the award to the Barr family today during the 2014 National Volunteer Workshop in Norman.

In June, the 188th Fighter Wing, which last fall marked its 60th anniversary, became the 188th Wing to reflect its transition from a fighter mission to MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance wing.